MATHS

CHALLENGING PROBLEMS
TOPIC : QUADRATIC EQUATION

1. Suppose P1(x1, 1994) and P2(x2, 1994) both lie on the graph of

f(x) = ax2 + bx + 7 (a ¹ 0)

Then ƒ(x1 + x2) = _________________.

2. Let ƒ(x) = ax2 + bx + c be such that ƒ(0) = 2 and ƒ(1) = –1, and the distance between its intersection
points with the x-axis is 2 2 . Find the formula of ƒ(x).

3. Suppose a and b are unequal real numbers, and the function ƒ(x) = x2 + ax + b satisfies ƒ(a) = ƒ(b).
Find the value of ƒ(2).

4. If the parabola y = 2x2 – px + 4p + 1 passes through a fixed point for every real number p, find the
coordinates of the fixed point.

5. Suppose the function y = x2 – 2x + 3 is defined on the interval [0, a]. For what values of a, the mini-
mum and maximum values of y are 2 and 3 respectively?

6. Suppose a and b are positive real numbers with b > a, when x Î [a, b], the function y = x2 – 4x + 6 has
the minimum value fo a and the maximum value b. Find a and b.

1 2 13
7. If the minimum value and maximum value of ƒ(x) = – x + on the interval [a, b] are 2a and 2b,
2 2
respectively, find [a, b].

8. Let b and c be real numbers such that b < 2 < c, and suppose when b £ x £ c, the function y = x2 – 4|x|
+ 4 has the maximum value 4c and minimum value b. Find the value of b + c.

9. Suppose a and b are the roots of the equation 7x2 – (p + 13)x + p2 – p – 2 = 0 (x is the unkown), and
0 < a < 1 < b < 2. Find the value range of p.

10. Suppose a and b are real numbers such that one root of the equation x2 – ax + b = 0 lies in the interval
[–1, 1], while the other lies in [1, 2]. Find the value range of a – 2b.

11. Suppose the graph of y = ax2 + bx + c passes through the points (0, –1), (1, 2) and (–3, 2).

(1) Find the points on the parabola that are equidistant from the two coordinate axes.

(2) Find the area of the polygon whose vertices are exactly the points in (1).

12. Suppose the graph of y = –x2 + 2ax + b has its vertex on the line mx – y – 2m + 1 = 0, and has at least
one common point with the graph of y = x2. Find the value range of m

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